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January - Behavioral/RMSP > Research Methods > Flashcards

Flashcards in Research Methods Deck (11)
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1
Q

Difference between experiment and observational study?

A

In an obersvational study, no attempt is made to change a varibale in order to affect an outcome. Outcomes are simply measured without any sort of controlled variable

2
Q

Important aspect of cross-sectional study

A

Looks at one point in time, does not capture any sort of change

3
Q

Trends, cohorts, and panel studies are what type of study?

A

longitudinal

boards often just say cohort for any longitudinal

4
Q

Strength and weakness of observational study:

A

o Strengths:
Often incorporate probability sampling for generalizability
Great tool for building a knowledge base and exploring new topics
Might allow us to answer some questions that controlled studies cannot (for moral and ethical reasons)

o Weaknesses:
Validity of measures across cultures (if using survey)
Findings are associations or correlations, not causality
Causality requires time order, non-spuriousness, and association
Often rely on survey self-reports, not actual behavior (but can incorporate other types of data, e.g., chart reviews, multiple reporters)

5
Q

In order to justify causality in an experiment, what 4 things are necessary?

A

1) Correlation/Association,
2) “Makes sense” (plausible),
3) reproducible/consistent,
4) Temporal Order

6
Q

Hawthorne Effect?

A

Researcher attention to behavior can change behavior

7
Q

Defining aspect of the case-control study design:

A

You are looking at retrospective data!

o Often compares diseases or events or exposures that have happened already.

8
Q

4 phases of clincial trials:

A

•Phase 1: normal healthy volunteers (drug testing)
o Safety and side effects
•Phase 2:
o Ideal dosage
o Healthy or unhealthy individuals
•Phase 3:
o Experimental treatment vs control
•Phase 4:
o Continued evaluation of FDA approved therapy

9
Q

Incidence vs Prevalence

A

o Incidence refers to how common new cases of disease are at a specific period in time. For example, epidemiologists may collect data about the new cases of influenza during one week at a school.

o Prevalence refers to the presence of a disease at a specific period, and measures all cases. For example, epidemiologists may want to know how many people in Minnesota between 50-55 years of age have ever had a heart attack.

10
Q

Etiology=

A

the cause

11
Q

confoundign variable?

A

Variable that is itself related to both the factor and disease, rather than the factor itself being necessarily related to the disease